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Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

I could feel the boredom, heat and elasticity of time that Maan experiences in village life, and yet there‘s so much drama in this chapter too, not least of which is the wolf hunt. If Maan can control his temper, perhaps politics would be a good career path. But I am most curious and concerned about Rasheed‘s future.

Fellow readers, we have only 9 parts left to go! #SuitableBoy2024

azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, bekakins, squirrelbrain, RebelReader, jlhammar, RaeLovesToRead, kassandrik

tpixie Oh! A big classic!! 2w

Lindy @tpixie Yes indeed! Have you read it? 2w

bekakins Rasheed is a really interesting character - also enjoyed Maan trying to control his rage - this was a good section! 2w

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mcctrish A buddy read of this is brilliant 2w

Lindy @bekakins I think we are witnessing Maan‘s maturation from boy to man (even though he‘s already in his 20s.) 2w

Lindy @mcctrish Agreed! It‘s been a fantastic experience so far and we are only halfway through. 2w

squirrelbrain Only 9 parts to go - wow! We‘re doing well, but it‘s such a fascinating read it‘s the opposite of a slog. Poor Rasheed - we feared for him when he changed the deeds and it seems we were right to do so. 2w

Lindy @squirrelbrain It feels easy to keep motoring through because I haven‘t been bored yet. 😊 2w

jlhammar Yes, very concerned for Rasheed! I liked getting more of his backstory. It does seem like we are seeing Maan mature and come into his own. I find the music snobbishness that surfaced again (from Sandeep Lahiri) really interesting. “Good music is good music.” Good=western classical. Can‘t believe we are so far through already! Reading one part a week has been fantastic. 2w

Lindy @jlhammar I‘m glad you mentioned the music snobbery. I noticed the Western authors also (EM Forster, for example). 2w

KathyR I thought that the preference for classical music over traditional Indian music was one of many examples of the trumpeting of English & Western superiority (in language, music, literature, food, etc) in the novel. Colonial administration has been replaced with an independent Government, but the attitude of English/Western superiority remains, now promulgated by the Indian upper classes and castes. 1w

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Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

“A desperate mother ventures to deploy
Fair means or foul to net a suitable boy.”
The more I get to know Haresh, the better I like him. He remembered Bhaskar‘s question! He was smart to hold back on his impulse to immediately propose to Lata, however. She needs time to warm up to him… if he is indeed the right man. Meanwhile, I fear for Rupa‘s cousin‘s daughter Kiran. Her father is evil. Kiran needs to hop a train and get away from him.

azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, bekakins, squirrelbrain, RebelReader, jlhammar, RaeLovesToRead, kassandrik

Lindy #SuitableBoy2024 3w

squirrelbrain Just realised, when I saw your post, that I haven‘t read this week‘s instalment! 🤪 Been too busy with work - I shall try to read it this evening. It‘s a slippery slope if you fall behind! 3w

Lindy @squirrelbrain ⏰🐇😁🍀 3w

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jlhammar So evil! This part was quite distressing. Lata having to fend off Mr Sahgal and poor Kiran. I enjoyed seeing Mrs Rupa Mehra through other eyes—hadn‘t realized earlier just how good-looking she is! 3w

Lindy @jlhammar Maybe Rupa will find a suitable man? 3w

squirrelbrain Phew - I caught up last night! I agree @jlhammar - rather an upsetting section. Poor Kiran - I hope we hear the end of her story, as long as it‘s a positive ending for her. 3w

bekakins I too was quite distressed by the chapters with Mr Sahel - what an awful man! Like @jlhammar I enjoyed the revelation that Mrs Rupa Mehra is very attractive - and a big fan of Haresh! 3w

Lindy @jlhammar @squirrelbrain @bekakins Over on Voxer, in our concurrent discussion, @KathyR pointed out that Lata‘s bad experience with Mr Sahgal might colour her overall view of the trip, including her feelings about Haresh. It‘s entirely possible. 3w

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Leftcoastzen

Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

#SpringSkies #BookClubRead #buddyread My book club reads that I am behind on !Twilight Sleep , I almost caught up for #WhartonBuddyRead but I‘m only on part 7 for #SuitableBoy2024 everyone else is on part 9 . between all the drop every thing and go errands & other diversions hard time keeping up ! I‘m even late with this post! 😁

Lindy, Lcsmcat, Eggs, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Graywacke

Graywacke Can i send you free time to fritter away, between errands and commitments? I hope you‘re enjoying the reading. 3w

Leftcoastzen @Graywacke oh, I wish! I would be requesting buckets of time!😂 3w

Eggs I know the feeling😕 3w

Lindy Hang in there Linda! Be gentle with yourself. 🥹 3w

Leftcoastzen @Lindy THANKS! I hope to catch up soon, love the book, life stuff happens. 3w

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Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

“Beneath the neem the village children play.
Worn cattle churn the burning earth to clay.”

This chapter makes it clear why land reform is important. I admire and applaud Rasheed‘s passion for justice. I fear for the trouble it will cause him and others.

#SuitableBoy2024

azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, bekakins, squirrelbrain, RebelReader, jlhammar, RaeLovesToRead, kassandrik

squirrelbrain I found this chapter fascinating too - both for the land reform politics and for the look at a different social strata. 4w

bekakins Loved Rasheed‘s bold move at the end of this part… but worried about the consequences to come. Interesting section of the book! 4w

KathyR I thought Seth built up to the last scene in the chapter so well. By then, we had seen Rasheed's compassion in interactions with the labourers & the poorest in the village, we had heard about his vision for a more productive village, we had seen how hard Kecheru worked, and had heard his arguments with his father. So you're not surprised that his father is having the records falsified, or that Rasheed undermines his fraud to help out Kecheru. 4w

jlhammar Really interesting section. I enjoyed getting to know Rasheed a bit more. 4w

28 likes4 comments

Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

Part 7 by the numbers:
-1 grouchy dog
-2 new suitors for Lata
-2 main suitors for Kakoli
-2 lovers for Meenakshi
-2 faces of Arun (affable vs tyrant)
-9 eccentric characters in 1 major family (Chatterji) explored
-63 flagged passages in 127 pages
-and the fundamental construct of Indian civilization is 4… no, it‘s 3… no, it‘s 2… no, it‘s 1… no, it‘s 0…
-Uncounted chuckles

I loved this section! #SuitableBoy2024

azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, bekakins, squirrelbrain, RebelReader, jlhammar, RaeLovesToRead, kassandrik

Leftcoastzen So much going on! Of course on the surface one should be glad that colonialism ended , but it‘s easy to forget there are winners & losers in any reorganization.I know I‘m reacting from a different world view yet it infuriates me a bit that with Purdha , I would have to cover myself & hide away in my own home if the patriarch brought someone home with him. 😔 1mo

batsy Love your summary 😁 1mo

bekakins Really fun section - the Chatterjis are my new favourites love the dynamic between the different siblings and the rhyming couplets they throw around 😆 also Patricia Cox properly made me chuckle! 1mo

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jlhammar Awesome breakdown!😆 Probably my favorite part so far. @bekakins I also loved the Chatterjis and got a kick out of the Patricia bits 😂 I especially liked when Meenakshi declined a mango and Mrs Rupa Mehra “was confirmed in her opinion that [she] was extremely odd. To steel yourself against mangoes showed a degree of iciness that was almost inhuman.”🥭 1mo

Lindy @jlhammar That part gave me a craving for mangoes 🥭😊 1mo

Lindy @batsy 😘 1mo

Lindy @Leftcoastzen Yes! So much activity, one social event after another. I love it. The pro-British and anti-British sentiments are nicely contrasted in this section. In the novel so far, it‘s clear that colonialism has had a devastating effect on the country. 1mo

Lindy @bekakins The Chatterji family is a hoot! And so is Patricia Cox. I wonder if we will see her have the opportunity to drink shamshu. 🍶 1mo

kassandrik My maths and statistics heart is beating fast ❤️ 1mo

Lindy @kassandrik 💓 1mo

bekakins @jlhammar so funny 🤣 and @Lindy I would LOVE it if we get to see Patricia cox trying shamshu! 1mo

squirrelbrain Great summary! I agree @jlhammar - my favourite part so far too. 1mo

Lindy @squirrelbrain 😘👍 1mo

azulaco Oh my goodness, that Meenakshi. She is nothing but trouble! 1mo

KathyR I was not very enthuastic about this part but the comments of other readers has encouraged me to re-read it. (I'm retired ;) ) One of the great benefits of a readalong. 1mo

Lindy @azulaco Meenakshi is playing with fire 💃 1mo

Lindy @KathyR One of the many things I enjoyed about this chapter is the way characters are given depth via snippets of conversation. Also the humour; I was smiling all the way through this part. 1mo

34 likes17 comments

squirrelbrain

A Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

Went out last week to an Indian street-food restaurant. (Not in India - we were on holiday in the English Lake District!).

The food was fabulous (the owner / chef had spent some time in India), dogs were welcome and, best of all, I got to try nimbu pani!

Their version was a mix of lemon and lime juice, with a hint of spice. I could definitely taste cumin in there - delicious!

Lindy, azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, bekakins, RebelReader, jlhammar, RaeLovesToRead, kassandrik

kassandrik *writing myself a note to make Nimbu Pani once I am back to Finland 😀 1mo

jlhammar Yum! Sounds like a great place. 1mo

squirrelbrain Have you been here yet Jess? @jhod It‘s called Barua and is in LRB from Weds - Sat evenings. Definitely worth a visit! 1mo

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fredthemoose Sounds fabulous! 1mo

bekakins Oooh amazing!! I‘m in the lakes in a few months so may have to check it out! 1mo

TrishB Sounds fab! 1mo

squirrelbrain @bekakins - it‘s in Keswick, at Lake Road Brunch. You‘d have to book - we only just squeezed in, and it was still low season. 1mo

Lindy Nimbu pani! That‘s exciting. 😁 1mo

Tamra Lucky you! 1mo

LeahBergen Yum!! 1mo

jhod No, thanks for the tip! X 1mo

Megabooks Yum! And look at Henry being a good boy! 1mo

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Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

“As a broad generalization, one might tentatively hazard a guess therefore, that, all other things being equal, one should not make particular generalizations when general particularizations are equally available — and available to far less idle effect.”
[I‘m still finishing up Part 7, but the blather in 7.35 reminded me of the scene pictured above in Mexikid.]
#SuitableBoy2024

kassandrik “Leave now“ - more frequently it was said by Arun, less I believed his words were to mean anything. 1mo

jlhammar Yes, it totally does! I hadn‘t thought of that. Cute graphic memoir. Loving the Chatterji siblings and their banter. Long (but excellent) part this week. Enjoy the rest! 1mo

Lindy @kassandrik @jlhammar I didn‘t even notice the “Leave now” correspondence until you pointed it out, Aleksandra! So true! Jamie, I also have enjoyed the Chatterji family banter. 1mo

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Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

The Chatterji family at breakfast presented a scene of cordial conflict. It was an intelligent family where everyone thought of everyone else as an idiot.
#SuitableBoy2024

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Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

Like magpies cackling over baubles—or discovering occasional gems and imagining them to be baubles—the excited guests chattered on. Despite the fact that they were shovelling in a great deal of food, everyone managed to shovel out a great many words. #SuitableBoy2024

marleed I once watched a magpie repeatedly dive bomb my father‘s cat. The cat kept running and crouching lower to the ground. When the cat was essentially moving in trench warfare, it waited for the next magpie pass, flipped on her back and met the magpie claws with her own clawed paws. The magpie flew off. It was truly amazing to watch this bit of nature. (I was perched on a deck with no ability to assist the cat.). 1mo

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Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

“And tell me,” continued the woman, “does it take you long to think of a book? I‘m dying to read your new book.”
“So am I,” said Amit.

(I can see why reviewers have pegged Amit as a stand-in for the author, Vikram Seth.)

#SuitableBoy2024

azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, bekakins, squirrelbrain, RebelReader, jlhammar, RaeLovesToRead, kassandrik

squirrelbrain Makes perfect sense! 1mo

kassandrik Now, when you mentioned it, Lindy, Amit definitely stands out among the rest of characters with his calm nature and wit comments. I can see Vikram Seth in him, for sure. 1mo

Lindy @squirrelbrain @kassandrik Would Seth make himself the most suitable boy? 🤔 1mo

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squirrelbrain He may indeed, although I‘m sure there‘ll be a lot of ups and downs, ins and outs, before we get there. 🤔 1mo

Lindy @squirrelbrain Ups, downs, ins, outs and all around the block. I‘m not done Part 7 yet, but we‘ll be at about 30 per cent of the book by Saturday. 1mo

squirrelbrain I‘m away at the moment and didn‘t bring ASB with me. (Small campervan, big book! 🤣) I tried to read ahead for this week but these last two parts have been really long so I still have a bit to catch up on, and I may be a day or two behind. 1mo

Lindy @squirrelbrain No worries. Enjoy your holiday. Part 7 is outstanding! 1mo

JuniperWilde I love this book 1mo

bekakins Enjoying reading this so much!! 1mo

Lindy @JuniperWilde Me too. It‘s my first time reading it. 1mo

Lindy @bekakins 🎉🎉🎉 I will post a Part 7 summary later today when I get home. 1mo

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Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

“A baby kicks; a bloodshot Raja yowls.
A young man speeds downhill; a father growls.”
Music and languages are highlighted in this chapter. I love how minor characters introduced in earlier chapters come to the fore, deepening themes of cultural, religious and sociopolitical changes happening in India. What about that parakeet? Is it a minor character who will further the plot as well? #SuitableBoy2024

azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, bekakins, squirrelbrain, RebelReader, jlhammar, RaeLovesToRead, kassandrik

squirrelbrain Ooh yes, the parakeet…I wonder?! 😃 I‘m enjoying Ishaq‘s story and was pleased that it seemed to be taking a positive turn. 1mo

Lindy @squirrelbrain Oh, me too. I was sad about Ishaq‘s wrists and glad how the chapter ended for him. 1mo

jlhammar Yes, music and languages - fascinating! I also liked how the chapter ended. And it seems like there could be some drama once that parakeet starts speaking. Oh, and Maan seems to have a lot of maturing to do. Interested to see what comes of his time away. 1mo

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bekakins You‘re so right - music and language! Also early enjoying Ishaq‘s story and Maan‘s arc - I wonder if he‘ll learn some lessons in the village?!? 1mo

Lindy @bekakins @jlhammar Yes, what will happen to Maan in the village?? Rasheed‘s family doesn‘t sound hospitable, especially not to the son of the minister responsible for the zamindari bill. 1mo

Leftcoastzen I‘m behind this week , hope to get on track next week ! 1mo

Lindy @Leftcoastzen Be prepared: Part 7 is a longish chapter (126 pages). 🍀 1mo

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Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

The novel takes place in 1950 and Vikram Seth has skillfully woven into his storylines the political and cultural background of India at the time. In Part 5, the prior information we‘ve gleaned about the Nawab Sahib (a Muslim and one of the largest landowners, and his old friend Mahesh Kapoor (a Hindu, the Minister of Revenue) comes to a head with passing of the legislative bill to end the zamindari system. What‘s the fallout? #SuitableBoy2024

azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, bekakins, squirrelbrain, RebelReader, jlhammar, RaeLovesToRead, kassandrik

jlhammar Very political section! I did feel like I could use a bit more context so thank you for that. So much going on in this novel already and so many characters. Really enjoying it so far. Poor Priya feeling like a prisoner and so miserable living with her in-laws. And that mention of “rats that bite off your hair at night if you don‘t wash the oil off”—eek! 2mo

squirrelbrain I agree @jlhammar - a lot of politics in this part. I was fascinated by the zenana, and by Zainab having to speak to Murtaza Ali from behind a sheet; how brave of her to do this. 2mo

bekakins Loving the additional context - I didn‘t find this part quite as engaging as the others but I enjoyed the introduction of Begum Abida Khan & Zainab! Also felt very sorry for Priya 2mo

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Lindy @jlhammar @squirrelbrain @bekakins I am always curious about women‘s lives, so the parts with Priya, Veena, Abida and Zainab really captured my attention. I hadn‘t been paying as much attention to the political stuff mentioned in previous chapters, so I went back and reviewed passages from them to help me understand Part 5. 2mo

bekakins @Lindy that is a really good idea - I might have to go back and revisit some bits as think it‘ll enhance my enjoyment of the book! 2mo

KathyR My reading so far is that nearly all of the female characters we have been introduced to have restrictions on their behaviour and mobility. Zainab is on the far end of the continuum but I was reminded of the Saaeda Bai's concert where only men were in the audience while most of the women were behind a screen looking down on it. Many of the restrictions are not physical but cultural - what is proper - but they are as effective. I have read that poor Indian women are not restricted indoors - they must work. 2mo

azulaco @KathyR Isn‘t that always the way? All the debate about “women‘s place is in the home” in the US over the last 150 years…the women in my family never had that choice, they all worked from necessity. But of course in India these are low caste or no caste women, so I wonder if they are even considered human :( The author has been mostly silent about caste. I‘d like to hear more about that and less about land reform. 1mo

azulaco I didn‘t realize we were going to get a lesson in Indian politics and history of the 1950s, but since I know so little about what was going on, I‘m here for it. 1950s India is quite a contrast to 1950s America, isn‘t it? 1mo

Lindy @azulaco Regarding caste as portrayed in this novel: we have seen mostly khatri (merchant) and jatav (leatherworker) castes in the story so far and the contrast between them has been made very clear. Also, Meenakshi‘s family is some higher caste than Arun‘s — I don‘t remember if we have been given more detail about that yet. 1mo

azulaco @Lindy oh yes, it‘s clear that we‘re seeing a range of castes, and some of the issues have been touched on. I would be interested in more direct coverage of the subject, the way he‘s gone into more detail on the religious divide or the land reforms. This is an awfully long book, so maybe he will get there! 1mo

Lindy @azulaco I hope that Seth has more in store on this topic too. In the meantime, have you read this excellent nonfiction book?

1mo

KathyR My guess is that Seth has intentionally set this novel at a time of great change in India and that the social and political issues that come up will be those that had an impact in 1950, like the fight for land reform and the friction between the Hindu and Muslim communities after Partition. I think he's going to focus on the 4 upper class families that he's provided trees for. So far, caste has only come up when it is a factor in the issue that is affecting them, eg shoemakers' strike. 1mo

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Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

Various new characters are introduced—Haresh, Jagat Ram, Dr Durrani—and it‘s a delight to get to know them through their interactions with people we‘ve already met. I‘m struck by Seth‘s ability to give his characters complexity, such as Kedernath‘s attitude: he‘s not anti-Muslim, but against religious zealotry in general, despite what happened to him and his brother when they left Lahore. Question: Is Haresh a suitable boy?
#SuitableBoy2024

azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, bekakins, squirrelbrain, RebelReader, jlhammar, RaeLovesToRead, kassandrik

squirrelbrain I had exactly the same thought as you - I love how the author carefully introduces new characters so we don‘t get overwhelmed, and we learn more about the existing characters in the process. 2mo

squirrelbrain As for Haresh, I‘m not sure yet…. On the surface he seems like a good hard-working man, but I feel there may be something we don‘t yet know, that would make him another unsuitable boy. 2mo

Lindy @squirrelbrain yes, Haresh himself doesn‘t seem open to the possibility of anyone other than his unrequited sweetheart. 2mo

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KathyR I'm not sure about that; after spotting her at the train station he nearly went over to have himself introduced. But, given that Haresh is a not a Hindu, would her mother consider him a suitable boy? 2mo

jlhammar Hmmm, I‘m not sure about Haresh. Interesting character though. That tannery they visited seemed like a terrible place to work. Young Bhaskar with his passion for mathematics was charming. 2mo

Lindy @KathyR Is Haresh not Hindu? I missed that. Did he get his Hindu name from his foster father? Have you read ahead? 2mo

Lindy @jlhammar I totally agree about the charming section about Bhaskar and I hope we haven‘t seen the last of Haresh. 2mo

bekakins I‘m enjoying the slow introduction of characters also. I am hoping we get a return to Arun & Meenakshi soon though! 2mo

KathyR Lindy, you're probably right. I don't know how I got that idea about Haresh... 2mo

Lindy @KathyR Maybe because he was being teased about a Sikh girl? 2mo

Lindy @bekakins Well Rupa and Lata are boarding a train in their direction… if there aren‘t many side tangents, we should be back to Arun and Meenakshi soon. 🚂 2mo

Leftcoastzen A fun section indeed! Tanning leather is such an awful task.Despite the violence in this period between Muslims & Hindus, you can tell the younger people with education might be more tolerant of differences? But most still have elders that they have to deal with. 2mo

Leftcoastzen Still thinking of Lata & Kabir.😄 2mo

Lindy @Leftcoastzen Yes, young people give me hope too. Who knows, maybe there‘s still a chance for Lata and Kabir. 2mo

KathyR Lindy, now I remember why I thought that Haresh is a Sikh. In section 4.9, after Haresh tells Jagat Ram that he will be going through Ken. (rather than dealing with Jagat directly), Jagat curses blood-sucking middlemen. "First the Muslims, now these Punjabis who had taken their place." Since Ken. was not from the Punjab I assumed he was talking about Haresh, and I assumed that if he was Punjabi he was Sikh. 2mo

KathyR As for Lata & Kabir: At the end of part 3, Lata feels that she never wants to see Kabir again. I think he deeply disappointed her in not willing to elope, to live up to his words of love. I think that that infatuation may be over. 2mo

Lindy @KathyR Kedarnath is from Lahore, which is the capital of Punjab province in Pakistan, so I think Jagat Ram was referring to him, not Haresh. The Indian state of Punjab has a large Sikh population, so there are several understandable avenues of confusion. 2mo

KathyR Thanks for the clarification. 2mo

KathyR For readers interested in learning more about the life of the very poor in India, I highly recommend the U.S. National Book Award winner, "Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity" by Katherine Boo. It is a book of narrative non-fiction that reads like a novel but is based on the reporting done by Boo between 2007 and 2011 in a settlement in the shadow of luxury hotels near the Mumbai airport. 2mo

Lindy @KathyR Excellent recommendation 👍 2mo

jlhammar @KathyR Yes, Behind the Beautiful Forevers - fantastic read! 2mo

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A Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

People draw borders and they build walls between themselves, but their hearts like birds fly to meet each other when the most unexpected moment comes.
Nothing can hold love, even golden cages and dark prison cells.

I love how this book makes me slow down and reflect on important topics.

8 likes

Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

“A couple glide down-river in a boat,
A mother hears that mischief is afloat.”

Playful shenanigans, ridiculous poetry, a sad movie and songs of longing set the mood for romantic trysts and buckets of tears in Part 3. Is there a future for Lata and Kabir?
#SuitableBoy2024

azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, bekakins, squirrelbrain, RebelReader, jlhammar, RaeLovesToRead, kassandrik

RebelReader I hope so, but if they do have future, I suspect it won‘t be an easy row to hoe. 2mo

Lindy @RebelReader Not easy: very true. 😕 2mo

squirrelbrain I hope so too @RebelReader - but I feel it may not be so. Still loving the book though - each part seems to fly by in minutes as it‘s so easy to fall in love with the characters, the settings and the writing. 2mo

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jlhammar Just finished! Reading Part 3 was a lovely way to start my Saturday. Loved Pran‘s April Fools‘ Day joke at the start. “Those who aren‘t conscious of the date must take the consequences.” 😆 Lata and Kabir are so young and their love so new, but I feel for them. 2mo

Lindy @jlhammar I‘ve never been a fan of April Fool pranks but I have to admit that Pran‘s was a good one. 2mo

Lindy @squirrelbrain I find that the pages fly too. 😊 2mo

bekakins I really enjoyed this part! I was COMPLETELY taken in by the April fools joke and was so confused like ‘what is the rest of this book going to be about?!‘ 🫣😆 Lata & Kabir‘s story is so sad, I always find it really interesting when religion plays such a pivotal role in relationships. I love that the chapters within each part are pretty short, so nice and digestible and really enjoying my daily routine of reading a chapter or 2! 2mo

Lindy @bekakins I love the short chapter structure too. It gives good stopping places for spreading each part out over the course of a week. And it helps when I leave my reading to the last day too: I stop after each chapter to stretch for a bit because it‘s hard on my body to sit for 70 pages, but if I don‘t have break reminders I just keep going. 2mo

kassandrik One part of me (romantic and hopeful) wishes for Lata's and Kabir's good future, but another one, rational and realistic, knows that it is far from the reality and it may cause so much damage along the way, that I start feeling a bit scared.
But hey, in fictional world miracles should happen! 2mo

azulaco Poor Lata and Kabir. I want them to be together. I don‘t see that happening. Although, he is inviting her into activities that he has to know her parents would not fully approve of, so I wonder a little about his character. Nothing scandalous from our point of view, but pushing limits in their world. Is he modern, or just disrespectful? Never trust the long-term intentions of a guy who tries to avoid meeting your parents! 2mo

Lindy @azulaco Not trusting a boy who avoids meeting your parents = good point! 2mo

Lindy @kassandrik I expect there will be no miracles, but there are many pages yet for exciting things to happen. 😁 2mo

Leftcoastzen I was buying into the April fools joke too! It is a time of change yet not enough for Lata & Kabir . I can‘t wait to see what happens next. 2mo

Lindy @Leftcoastzen Yes, a time of great change; it‘s good to remember that these lives are unfolding at a particular moment in time. 2mo

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Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

Her mother had gone through two chapters of the Gita that she recited every day at dawn. The Gita asked for detachment, tranquil wisdom, indifference to the fruits of action. This was a lesson that Mrs Rupa Mehra would never learn, could never learn. The lesson did not suit her temperament, even if its recitation did. The day she learned to be detached and indifferent and tranquil she would cease to be herself. #SuitableBoy2024

azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, bekakins, squirrelbrain, RebelReader, jlhammar, RaeLovesToRead, kassandrik

RebelReader I liked this section like I did the first section. How sad not to be with the person you are drawn to and expected to settle for whoever your family picks. My heart breaks! 💔💔 2mo

Lindy @RebelReader It IS sad, but I wonder how difficult it would be for the couple on account of anti-Islamic sentiment, as just one of the obstacles in their path. 2mo

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Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

I really enjoyed Maan‘s narrative arc in Part 2: he wakes up smiling in the opening sentence and we can assume he is smiling with the turn of events as the chapter ends too. Although that relationship will likely not end well for him. And I‘m afraid that Maan‘s mischief during Holi will not end well for Pran.
[internet image]. #SuitableBoy2024

azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, bekakins, squirrelbrain, RebelReader, jlhammar, RaeLovesToRead, kassandrik

squirrelbrain Poor Pran! I think he may lose his job over that prank. 2mo

jlhammar Cool image. Maan and his mischief! Landing himself “in the dog-house again.” Pran will surely have to pay for that. Saaeda Bai and Tasneem are interesting characters. Look forward to seeing where the story takes us in part three! 2mo

Leftcoastzen I think there are definitely ramifications for Pran from Maans pranks. I love the fact that the writing pulls me in. I do spend some time looking up words. I tried to imagine what the bird market looked like. 2mo

Lindy @squirrelbrain @jlhammar @Leftcoastzen As Linda has commented, the writing really pulls us in. Wanting to know what happens next is not always something I look for in a novel, as long as I find the characters interesting, but facing so many pages ahead, I‘m glad of Seth‘s compelling construction. 2mo

28 likes4 comments

bekakins

Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

Part 2 - I enjoyed this little detour through Holi and the introduction of Saeeda Bai and Maan. I‘m hoping we return to the ‘core‘ characters in the next part though! I liked Saeeda Bai‘s story and I feel like she will be an interesting side character that we return to… #suitableboy2024

Lindy, azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, squirrelbrain, jlhammar, kassandrik

squirrelbrain I agree - I enjoyed this part, but preferred the first. 2mo

Leftcoastzen I‘m with you , like the other set of characters a bit better.I love the style of the book , the story sucks me right in. I am spending some time looking up words I‘m not familiar with, that‘s ok, never too old to learn something new.! 2mo

RebelReader I liked the first part better than part 2. I love books like this where we really get to know the characters well. I‘m not enjoying the small print in this book however. My old eyes are rebelling against it. 2mo

See All 7 Comments

Lindy @squirrelbrain @Leftcoastzen @RebelReader Based on the family trees at the beginning of this novel, I‘m guessing we will be meeting a great number of new characters in the pages ahead. I hope to see more of Saeeda Bai‘s sister Tasneem, who appears to also possibly be Firoz‘s half-sister. (edited) 2mo

azulaco I read Maan‘s stupid Holi prank on Pran‘s boss and thought “Oh nooooo….” Professor Mishra won‘t forgive that. I had my head in my hands just like Pran. Poor Pran. 2mo

bekakins @Lindy oh that‘s interesting! My copy doesn‘t have Saeeda Bai or Tasmeena included in the family tree! I just have the Mehras, the , the Khans and the Chatterjis… and I think we‘ve met most of the named characters on it! 2mo

Lindy @bekakins My copy doesn‘t have Saeeda Bai included in a family tree either. But of the Chatterji family, we‘ve only met Meenakshi. And I wonder if Saeeda Bai is tangentially related to the Khans (through Tasneem)? (edited) 2mo

16 likes7 comments

bekakins

Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

I‘ve really enjoyed reading part 1 this week. I keep having to refer back to the family trees in the front of the book to keep track of who everyone is and how they interrelate. I‘m loving the characterisation of everyone and looking forward to seeing how the plot unfolds. I‘m also enjoying all the references to amazing sounding food and drink! #suitableboy2024

Lindy, azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, squirrelbrain, jlhammar, kassandrik

squirrelbrain We have the same copy. And I spy a pup in the background… 2mo

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2mo

kassandrik I started to add stickers to the family trees. For instance, I have marked twins characters, so I will remember them in future. I wonder if I even start drawing some more connections and relationships. Sadly, my copy is not my own, but from library. 2mo

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bekakins @squirrelbrain - it‘s a gorgeous cover! And the doggo is always photo bombing 🤣 he is fascinated by books @dabbe 2mo

bekakins @kassandrik - that‘s a great idea! I‘m starting to get my head around who‘s who now but feel like the family tree will be a near constant point of reference! 2mo

dabbe @bekakins He's a smart boy! 🤩🤩🤩 2mo

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A Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

God, I miss India and her diverse cuisine ❤️

I completed the first chapter of “A Suitable Boy“ by Vikram Seth and I am loving it so far: bright and unforgettable characters, coziness of author's language and travelling in space and time.

My soul is flowing through the book so effortlessly and every time I take it to my hands I feel it will be another happy moment of my life.

P.S. Vikram Seth makes slightly poetic, and I love it as well.

jlhammar Yum, I'm loving your images of the food and drink! I want to try it all. 2mo

kassandrik @jlhammar Thank you so much, I am also dreaming to try all the mentioned food in the book 😻 2mo

5 likes2 comments

squirrelbrain

A Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

I loved Part One of A Suitable Boy and I‘m so glad that @Lindy encouraged me to pick it up this year.

Main discussion is on Lindy‘s thread, but I‘m really enjoying being sent down lots of rabbit-holes with all of the new-to-me words and customs, particularly with regard to food and drink. Nimbu Pani sounds delicious!

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/nimbu-pani

azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, bekakins, jlhammar, kassandrik

CatMS "A Suitable Boy" has been on my shelves since it was first published, a gift from my sister-in-law, have been wanting to read it, maybe it is time to do so. 2mo

Lindy @CatMS please join us! We are reading one part each and each part is only about 70 pages, so it shouldn‘t take long to catch up. We are just discussing part 1 this weekend. Use the #SuitableBoy2024 to find more 2mo

Lindy I‘ve been going down food research rabbit holes too. I‘ve got sesame seeds on my counter, waiting to be made into gajak. 😊 2mo

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squirrelbrain Yes, do join us @CatMS - I was very intimidated by it (hence why it‘s been on my shelves for many years) but so far it seems like it‘s going to be a wonderful read. 2mo

kassandrik It is freezing cold here, in Finland, so I skipped grocery shopping for black salt for time being, but I am planning to share my own Nimbu pani soon ❤️ 2mo

jlhammar It really does sound delicious! 2mo

squirrelbrain Looking forward to seeing what you make! @Lindy @kassandrik 2mo

LeahBergen I‘ve always wanted to try this drink after reading about it in this (and other Indian) books! 2mo

57 likes8 comments

Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

Discussion of Part 1: there will be spoilers! Avert your eyes if you haven‘t yet finished this part!
I love the characterization so far. People to cheer for, people to disapprove of. Amy mentioned Malati in a different post (I will link it below, or you can search #SuitableBoy2024 ). I wonder if something will come of Malati‘s crush on Pran?

azulaco, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, bekakins, squirrelbrain, jlhammar, kassandrik

Lindy azulaco's post on Litsy https://litsy.com/p/Q0dRdEkzZldM 2mo

squirrelbrain The characterisation is exactly what I was going to post about… I wonder if we will see a story arc for any of the ‘baddie‘ characters such as Arun and Meenakshi and will they realise the error of their ways / behaviour? Currently, I can‘t help thinking that Arun got what he deserved with his wife! 2mo

Lindy @squirrelbrain oh yes! Arun and Meenakshi deserve each other. I think it‘s hilarious (and sad) the way Meenakshi calls her daughter precious in every other sentence, yet treats her like a mildly amusing plaything. 2mo

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squirrelbrain I feel sorry for poor Varun too - he is treated rather like a servant by Arun and Meenakshi. He seems to spend more time with Aparna than they do. 2mo

Lindy @squirrelbrain Yes, I hope good things are in Varun‘s future. I liked the gentle teasing of his singing voice: “like a bulbul… in a china-china shop” 😁 2mo

kassandrik I have some nagging feeling of fear about Varun - you never know where the spring will hit, which was pressed too hard. Definitely his lif with elder brother impacts him a lot! 2mo

bekakins I too feel sorry for Varun - Arun & Meenashki are awful (but hilarious). My favourite character so far is Mrs Rupa Mehra - I love an overbearing mother in a book 😆 2mo

jlhammar Really enjoying this so far. Love being introduced to all of the characters. @bekakins - Mrs Rupa Mehra is my favorite so far as well! I couldn't believe Meenakshi had her father-in-law's medal melted down for earrings. So callous! 2mo

squirrelbrain Oh gosh, I hope not @kassandrik - he seems very sweet, but I can see where your fear comes from. I love that we‘re all so invested in the characters already - definitely the sign of a good book! 2mo

RebelReader I was hosting a baby shower for my niece today so just checking in now. I‘m enjoying this book a lot. Characters to love, hate and hope for. I agree @squirrelbrain Arun totally deserves his horrible wife. Who does that with a family heirloom??? She is terribly selfish! 2mo

Lindy @RebelReader busy day for you! Thanks for checking in. 😊 2mo

Leftcoastzen I do love how I was drawn in by this story , great characters. I too love Mrs Rupa Mehra trying to do right by her family. You do get a great sense that times are changing & not all daughters are wanting a Suitable Boy! 😄Meenakshis behavior is horrible, it was a terrible thing to do! I really enjoyed the uni politics of Pran trying to get Joyce added to the curriculum! professor Mishra is a piece of work,holding fast to his position of power. 2mo

azulaco @Lindy oh no, I hope nothing happens between Pran and Malati! What a catastrophe! I‘m already worried about her. I like her, but independent girls so often experience negative consequences in patriarchal societies, in fiction and in real life. 😞 2mo

azulaco @Leftcoastzen Poor Pran and his horrible department head. I hope he can stick it out. 2mo

Lindy @azulaco indeed! 2mo

27 likes15 comments

Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

We are all Malati! #suitableboy2024

Lindy I flagged that passage too 📚❤️ 2mo

19 likes1 comment

Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

I like the character of Malati already. 😊 #suitableboy2024

Lindy I tend to read several books concurrently and right now I‘m listening to a 3-generation family saga set in Sri Lanka. Two daughters are studying medicine in that book, a nice bit of synchronicity.

Song of the Sun God

2mo

Lindy I wonder if this portrayal of Malati echoes Seth‘s own feelings about marriage? He‘s bisexual and India doesn‘t recognize same-sex marriage, so that might a major factor. 2mo

12 likes2 comments

Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

Part 1 thoughts.
I like Lata, but my favorite character so far is her friend Malati.
Lata handled an unwanted chat-up like a queen. I wish I could have been that secure at her age.
Arun and Meenakshi deserve each other. If you haven‘t gotten to the last part of Part 1, oh boy, just wait till you see the stunt Meenakshi pulls. Awful people, awful child. Such entitlement.
Go, nerdy Prem! I‘m so glad Savita seems to appreciate him! #suitableboy2024

Lindy Amy, I‘m so glad you are keen! And I love your comments on Part 1. Go nerdy Pran! I will tag the rest of our reading group on this post of yours on Saturday when we will discuss Part 1. Our schedule is to discuss one part each weekend, starting with Part 1 on February 10. Part 2 on February 17, etc. I apologize for not making that clear beforehand. (edited) 3mo

azulaco @Lindy I did go back and see that you said Feb. 10 in the original post! 2mo

Lindy @Leftcoastzen @kassandrik @squirrelbrain @KathyR @jlhammar @bekakins I think Meenakshi‘s stunt is likely to have long repercussions, despite Pran having carefully vetted Savita‘s letter to her. I love his comments: “Diplomatic but deadly! Soft steel.” Pran and Savita are a good match. 2mo

kassandrik @Lindy I feel the same about the future consequences of Meenakshi's greedy behaviour. It looks like a first rusty nail into the coffin for her relationship with in-laws. She just started proving herself with actions. I am kind of afraid of her and Arun :/ 2mo

17 likes4 comments

Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

I just found out that this is available on Kindle Unlimited. Yay! I‘m going to try to follow along with the group read headed by @Lindy, but I‘m not sure I can keep to the schedule. Excited to try! #SuitableBoy2024

Lindy Amy, welcome to our group read! 3mo

squirrelbrain Hooray! ❤️ 3mo

RebelReader I‘m reading it on my lunch break everyday. 3mo

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LitsyEvents

Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

Original https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2695137

From @Lindy I'm planning to start reading this on February 3 and to read one part (approximately 70 p) per week. There are 19 parts, so I expect to be finished in 20 weeks (that'll be in June!). Any Littens want to join me?
#SuitableBoy2024

57 likes

A Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

...they have made such delicious gulab-jamuns, but owing to my diabetes I cannot eat them even after the ceremonies. I am not even allowed gajak, which is so difficult to resist in winter.

batsy Gosh yes gulab jamuns are delectable... and so dangerous 😬 3mo

kassandrik @batsy , I love gulab jamuns, but the ones, which are recently made and fresh - in Finland we get a canned version and they are just not the same. I also thought of making my own, but I struggle with a syrup part 😀 3mo

batsy I'm lucky that we're able to get it quite easily here in restaurants, so haven't yet had a chance to make it. The syrup bit does seem a bit daunting! 😅 3mo

8 likes3 comments

jlhammar

Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

Here we go! Week 1, Part 1, here I come. So excited to finally be reading this behemoth. I already love how he‘s setting the scene for each part instead of using traditional chapter titles.

#SuitableBoy2024

shawnmooney, Lindy, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, squirrelbrain, RebelReader, RaeLovesToRead, kassandrik

willaful Very Old School! 3mo

squirrelbrain Can‘t wait to start! 3mo

Tamra After years sitting on my TBR shelves I gave up and donated it. I know readers have loved it! 3mo

See All 6 Comments

kassandrik I read just 10 pages today morning but it felt so amazing to return back to Indian atmosphere: food, traditions, even conversations. 3mo

Leftcoastzen Nice! Just starting, long day! 3mo

Liz_M Oh yay! This is such a wonderful book!!! 3mo

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Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

Before plunging into a 5-month-long reading odyssey, I‘m taking a moment to remember where I bought my copy of Suitable Boy: Peryton Books, when I visited my friend Shawn in Saskatoon.
If any of you want to join a group of us reading one part each week, please do!
#SuitableBoy2024

shawnmooney, Leftcoastzen, KathyR, squirrelbrain, RebelReader, jlhammar, RaeLovesToRead, kassandrik

squirrelbrain Looking forward to starting this! Will be tomorrow for me, as we‘re camping and I didn‘t bring it with me. (Small campervan, big book - there‘d have been no room for anything else! 🤣) 3mo

Lindy @squirrelbrain enjoy your camping trip 😊 3mo

RebelReader My copy came, but I‘m still sick! Day 5! Couldn‘t even read, but I feel a bit better today so maybe I‘ll tackle part one. 3mo

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jlhammar A reading odyssey indeed! Excited to dive in today. Lovely teacup. 3mo

Leftcoastzen Love it ! Got some things to do today but I‘m going to dive in tonight! 3mo

LeahBergen I spy your lovely tea cozy! ❤️ 3mo

Lindy @RebelReader hope you feel better soon 🌻 3mo

Lindy @jlhammar thanks and happy reading 🫖 3mo

Lindy @Leftcoastzen 🤿 3mo

Lindy @LeahBergen 👁 3mo

bekakins Ooh I‘ve got this on my shelf waiting to be read so may tag along… is there a schedule anywhere? 3mo

Lindy @bekakins Beka, please join us! We are reading one part each week (the book is divided into 19 parts. Our first discussion (of Part 1) will be on February 10. Lindy's post on Litsy https://litsy.com/p/dXlyeHVBMWxh 3mo

bekakins Thanks @Lindy - I‘m in! I find books this big much less intimidating when reading them as part of a group activity 😄 3mo

Lindy @bekakins Welcome aboard! 3mo

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Leftcoastzen

Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

#SuitableBoy2024 Well , I bought this big brick today , plan to join @Lindy and others in a buddy read . Sometimes with the chunksters it‘s hard to keep going, with a plan & reading buddies we will enjoy it together!

Smrloomis I remember enjoying this a lot and feeling like it flew by so I hope you enjoy it too. 3mo

squirrelbrain Hooray! ❤️ 3mo

Amiable Loved this book when I read it several years ago 3mo

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jlhammar Yay! I‘m getting excited. 3mo

Lindy I‘m so glad that you are joining us! 🤗 3mo

BarbaraBB You won‘t regret it, it is such a good book! 3mo

Reggie I love this books sooo much. I hope you like it. 3mo

LeahBergen It‘s a wonderful read! 3mo

56 likes8 comments

A Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

Super excited to join my first real long readalong with @Lindy and many others!

It is going to be my biggest reading challenge this year: I am bit of scared but still feel brave to start this amazing journey.

I borrowed my book in the city library, so, fingers crossed, I will be able to keep the same copy for the whole yourney, because it looks fabulous with all the stickers. I didn't have orange stickers, so my Indian flag got sligtly more red.

squirrelbrain Excited to read with you! Love your Indian (ish!) stickers. 🇮🇳 3mo

Lindy Wow! Aleksandra, it‘s cool to see a representation of the Indian flag in your page flags. So creative! Fingers crossed that you can extend your loan to the end of our reading schedule. 3mo

jlhammar Wonderful! Look forward to reading with you. 3mo

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squirrelbrain

A Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth

I‘m ready to go with our #buddyread! @Lindy @KathyR

I know it‘s not for another week, but a girl has to be prepared!

Each section looks quite achievable, I think. Hubby is quite scared by it, though - he said ‘What on earth is that?!‘ 🤣 ‘Just a little light reading, darling‘

RaeLovesToRead This is on my TBR 3mo

RaeLovesToRead You guys read a lot faster than me, but if you'll be posting it may encourage me to pick it up 3mo

JamieArc That‘s such a pretty edition! 3mo

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julesG 😮 What a doorstopper! 3mo

LeeRHarry I loved this - hope you do too. 😊 3mo

BarbaraBB “ What on earth is that?”🤣🤣 it‘s such a good book though, enjoy! 3mo

Lindy Hasn‘t he seen a big book before? 😂 When A Suitable Boy first came out, at 1349 pages, according to the Guardian it was the longest book ever published in English up until then. 3mo

Lindy @RaeLovesToRead Our reading pace will be about 10 pages per day. Join us! 3mo

RaeLovesToRead @Lindy I might read along with you! 😊 It's the longest book on my TBR and I've heard it's awesome 3mo

Leftcoastzen I‘m very tempted to join you all. It‘s hard sometimes to do Chunksters solo 3mo

jlhammar Seeing your preparation has motivated me to join you! I‘ll have to pull my copy off the shelf this weekend. 3mo

RebelReader I‘m tempted to join this as well, but I don‘t actually own a copy. I bet my local bookstore has it though. 😂 3mo

Lindy @Leftcoastzen I feel the same way about chunksters. I prefer either audio format or buddy reading to get me through a long book. 3mo

Lindy @jlhammar yay Jamie! 3mo

Lindy @RebelReader it would be great to have you join us 😊🍀 3mo

JuniperWilde I loved this book i 3mo

squirrelbrain It‘s slightly longer (in pages) than my copy of War and Peace @Lindy 3mo

squirrelbrain Hooray! @RaeLovesToRead @Leftcoastzen @jlhammar - Looking forward to reading with you all. @RebelReader - we‘re starting next Saturday so you have time to get to the bookstore! 😃 3mo

youneverarrived 😂😂 I‘ll look forward to seeing what you think. There was a BBC adaptation on a few years ago which I loved. 3mo

Reggie You‘ll get so immersed in it. I love this book so much. Good luck! 3mo

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